Legal Services Assistant in Washington, District of Columbia at Ice Miller LLP

Job Summary: The Legal Services Assistant provides high-level administrative support to assigned timekeepers and plays a vital role in ensuring the seamless management of attorney workflows. This role is ideal for an experienced legal support professional who demonstrates initiative, exercises sound judgment, and is committed to delivering exceptional client service.

Legal Services Assistants work within practice-specific support teams and are responsible for managing multiple projects and competing priorities. The LSA is expected to independently coordinate complex tasks, delegate work to internal support teams, and ensure quality control and timely follow-up. In this role, the LSA also serves as a resource and informal mentor to junior team members.

Success in this role requires strong communication skills, professionalism, and discretion, as the position involves frequent interaction with clients, attorneys, staff, and visitors. Candidates must demonstrate a high degree of accuracy, excellent grammar and proofreading skills, and advanced technical and organizational abilities, along with a proactive, collaborative approach to problem-solving and team support.

Essential Job Duties: While the essential responsibilities of an Ice Miller Legal Services Assistant may vary depending on the position’s scope and practice area, all individuals in this role must meet a core set of basic requirements. In addition to these foundational expectations, the following qualifications are considered essential for success as a Legal Services Assistant, as applicable to the specific assignment:

• Administrative Expertise & Skills Management
  • Demonstrate exceptional technical skills and advanced knowledge of the MS Office Suite, as listed below.
  • Possess specialized knowledge of the assigned practice area to manage workflow, prioritize tasks, and ensure accuracy in supporting multiple attorneys.
  • Provide backup and PTO coverage for practice support team LSAs as needed.
• Process Improvement & Innovation

• Identify and implement enhancements to workflows and systems, contributing ideas that improve efficiency and maintain high-quality standards.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to support process improvements and align work with firm goals and practice group strategy.
• Continuously seek opportunities for self-improvement and innovation.

• Teamwork & Communication
  • Proactively communicate and collaborate with team members and firm personnel to ensure effective workflow.
  • Actively participate in regular team meetings, sharing information and training tips to maximize team effectiveness.
  • Partner closely with attorneys, paralegals, and business professional leaders across departments.
• Leadership & Decision-Making
  • Lead by example and support the development and mentoring of junior team members.
  • Exercise independent decision-making and escalate issues appropriately.
  • Demonstrate empathy, self-awareness, and strong interpersonal skills in all interactions.

Minimum Requirements:
The requirements described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• High school diploma required
• At least five (5+) years of previous administrative experience in the legal industry, preferably in a law firm, required
• Willingness and ability to learn multiple practice areas within the law firm
• Ability to prioritize work and balance multiple projects and deadlines
• Continuous learner who is adaptable and proactive
• Contributes to a working group and provides reliable service to a diverse group of professionals
• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor, exhibit sound judgment, use discretion, and maintain confidentiality
• Ability to exhibit problem-solving skills and demonstrate initiative

• Excellent clerical skills and knowledge of grammar, spelling, and punctuation
• Exceptional client service skills in person, over the phone, and via email
• Exceptional attention to detail, excellent grammar, and ability to work independently and proactively while following complex written and verbal instructions
• Ability to work with a diverse group of professionals across all offices
• Must be able to perform all essential duties

Technical Skills Required: Expert-level proficiency in Microsoft Word (see “Administrative Expertise and Document Skills” above for specific examples), with strong skills in Adobe, Excel, and PowerPoint. Must demonstrate advanced knowledge of Word editing tools, including Litera, DocXtools, NTD, and Check. Advanced knowledge of legal billing software, conflicts and new matter software, document management systems, and expense reimbursement software is required. Prior experience with workflow software is preferred; Ice Miller currently utilizes BigHand to support cross-office collaboration within practice groups. Additional programs in use at Ice Miller include InTapp, NetDocuments, BillPro, Elite 3E, and Emburse (formerly ChromeRiver).

Other Requirements:  

The requirements described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Equipment Operated: 

This position requires extensive use of a computer and a telephone. This position also requires the use of printing, copying, faxing, and scanning equipment. 

Physical Requirements:  

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to sit; stand; talk; see; and hear.   

Mental Requirements: 

Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, with a diverse group of people.